Friday, June 28, 2013

PHOTO BY J. MILES CARYSolar panels on the roof of the Knoxville Convention Center. The Knoxville Convention Center was closed Tuesday morning so that a helicopter could install a inverter pack and a chiller for the 30 kw Solar panel system being installed on the roof. Two solar panel systems are being installed as a green initiative involving the Knoxville Convention Center and the city of Knoxville.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL PATRICK,MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL Solar panels on the roof of the Knoxville Convention Center as viewed from the observation deck of the Sunsphere on March 19, 2012. The Convention Center became the first such facility in Tennessee to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its green initiatives.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, today commended its customer, Knoxville Convention Center, on earning the prestigious LEED Silver Certification for Existing Buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the facility's sustainable operational policies. A ceremony was held today to recognize the Convention Center's sustainable achievement, as well as its honor of being the first convention center in Tennessee to achieve LEED certification for its green initiatives. Ameresco Executive Vice President David J. Anderson joined Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knoxville Convention Center's General Manager Mary Bogert in today's events to celebrate the accomplishment."We commend the City of Knoxville and the Knoxville Convention Center for their commitment to environmental stewardship and leadership in sustainability," said David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. "Ameresco is proud to be a valued partner, and we congratulate the Knoxville Convention Center for earning the prestigious LEED Silver certification, and demonstrating their vision to the municipal community."In order to achieve LEED Certification for Existing Buildings, the Convention Center was scored in accordance with rigorous guidelines set forth by the USGBC. The Convention Center verified that Ameresco installed a 120-kilowatt rooftop solar photovoltaic system as part of a comprehensive energy efficiency project. In addition to the solar installation, the facility added new energy efficient boilers, a 30-ton air cooled chiller, window film, a new domestic hot water system and lighting systems to reduce the center's carbon footprint and make the building more sustainable."The Convention Center is committed to being a facility that takes the environmental impact of its operations seriously, and our sustainable practices are intricately woven into our everyday operations," said General Manager Mary Bogert. "This certification demonstrates this commitment. We are grateful to the City of Knoxville for placing high value on sustainability and to the City of Knoxville Department of Sustainability and its energy contractor, Ameresco, for partnering with our staff to help achieve this goal.""I applaud the staff of the Knoxville Convention Center on their commitment to sustainability and congratulate them on this award," said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero. "Their commitment furthers the City of Knoxville's focus on sustainability and renewable resources. Recently, we were proud to place the largest solar panel installation on any City-owned facility on the roof of the Convention Center to provide clean, renewable energy to the region."In 2010, Ameresco and the City embarked upon a $13.8 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) that implemented improvements at 104 buildings, 40 ballparks and fields, and three golf courses. These improvements are now delivering $1.1 million in annual energy savings for the City. Energy conservation measures included new lighting systems to provide effective lighting control and uniform lighting, solar hot water system, HVAC improvements including a variable air volume conversion, water conservation, irrigation solutions for ball field and golf courses, pool covers, new steam boilers, and a city-wide energy management system (EMS) for remote monitoring, controlling, and troubleshooting of the HVAC systems.Ameresco has a long history of partnering with counties, schools, municipalities and commercial entities to improve energy infrastructure and install renewable energy technologies. Their pioneering of the ESPC financing model has made the budget-neutral solution an increasingly popular option for customers across North America, which enables budget-neutral energy efficiency upgrades by guaranteeing a minimum level of energy savings over the term of the contract. Ameresco coordinates the upfront project costs and the City repays that investment with their energy savings over time.About the Knoxville Convention CenterThe Knoxville Convention Center, managed by SMG, is located in downtown Knoxville adjacent to the Sunsphere. It boasts a 120,000 square-foot exhibit hall, a 27,000 square-foot divisible ballroom and up to 25 meeting rooms.About SMGHeadquartered in Philadelphia, SMG provides management services to over 200 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, theatres and convention, conference and trade centers. As the recognized industry leader since 1977, SMG provides construction and design consulting, pre-opening services, venue management, sales and marketing and event booking and programming. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through our in house catering company, Savor...catering by SMG, currently servicing 65 accounts worldwide.With facilities across the United States, and in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, SMG controls over 1.5 million entertainment seats worldwide and manages more than ten million feet of exhibition space.About Ameresco, Inc.Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading independent provider of comprehensive services, energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco's services include upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure and the development, construction and operation of renewable energy plants. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco provides local expertise through its 66 offices in 34 states and five Canadian provinces. Ameresco has more than 900 employees.